Couldn't you just remove bukkit? If that's the only thing keeping the server from updating then I would rather play on an updated server(without plug-ins) more than an un-updated one(without plug-ins, unless bukkit does more than what I think it does)

Yeah theres plenty of servers that dont use bukkit and still have plugins and all that? couldnt it be eaisly updated or changed to a new provider? I dont know how much work it is.. or even if itd be worth it but i know i made alot of memories on this server and im sure there are others that miss it just as much despite us leaving or stop playing.. honestly even if there was just a fresh start but was still on 1.7 id probably still play.